HEC Overseas Scholarship for MS and PhD

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan has announced a new batch of overseas scholarships for Pakistani and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) nationals seeking admission to MS/MPhil and PhD programmes at leading universities abroad.

Under the Overseas Scholarships for MS/MPhil & PhD Studies, Phase-III, Batch-IV, scholarships will be offered in universities ranked among the Top 200 in the QS World University Rankings or Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings.

The deadline to submit an online application is August 28, 2026, at 4:00 PM.

HEC Overseas Scholarships 2026 – Key Details

Details	Information
Scholarship	HEC Overseas Scholarships for MS/MPhil & PhD
Phase	Phase-III, Batch-IV
Eligible applicants	Pakistani and AJK nationals
Study levels	MS/MPhil and PhD
University ranking	Top 200 QS/THE ranked universities
Application fee	Rs. 3,000
Application deadline	August 28, 2026
Deadline time	4:00 PM
Application mode	Online through HEC e-Services Portal

Fields Covered Under HEC Overseas Scholarships

The scholarship programme is available only in the thematic areas specified by HEC. These include:

1. Digital Transformation & Emerging Technologies
2. Energy, Climate Change & Environment
3. Agriculture, Food Security & Agri-Tech
4. Health, Biotechnology & Life Sciences
5. Engineering & Advanced Manufacturing
6. Natural & Physical Sciences
7. Social Sciences, Business & Governance
8. Interdisciplinary & Strategic Areas

Applicants are required to ensure that their intended field of study is offered by the university and country they select. Applications may not be considered if the proposed subject is not available at the selected institution.

Eligibility Criteria for PhD Scholarships

Applicants seeking an HEC overseas PhD scholarship must meet the following requirements:

• Must be a Pakistani or AJK national.
• Must have at least 18 years of education, including an MS/MPhil or equivalent qualification.
• Candidates holding a 17-year MSc/MS degree from a foreign university may also apply, subject to providing the required equivalence from the relevant HEC authority at the time of application.
• A maximum of one second division throughout the academic career before the terminal/final degree is allowed.
• Must have at least 3.0 CGPA out of 4.0 in the semester system or a first division under the annual system in the MS/MPhil/equivalent degree.
• Employees of public-sector universities/colleges, R&D organisations, government and semi-government institutions must provide an NOC from their organisation.
• Applicants who previously availed an HEC-funded MS/MPhil scholarship must complete at least two years of residency in Pakistan after completing their MS/MPhil and provide the required NOC.
• The maximum age is 40 years for employees of public-sector universities/colleges, R&D, government and semi-government organisations, and 35 years for other applicants.

Eligibility Criteria for MS Scholarships

Candidates applying for MS scholarships must:

• Be a Pakistani or AJK national.
• Have completed BS, BE, Master's or an equivalent qualification representing 16 years of education in the relevant field.
• Have a minimum 3.0/4.0 CGPA in the semester system or first division under the annual system.
• Have no more than one second division throughout their academic career before the final degree.
• Public-sector university/college, R&D, government and semi-government employees must submit an NOC from their organisation.
• The maximum age is 35 years for employees of public-sector universities/colleges, R&D, government and semi-government organisations and 30 years for all other applicants.

Selection Process

HEC will select candidates on the basis of merit, HEC Aptitude Test (HAT) scores and interview performance, while also taking into account the approved provincial quotas of the Government of Pakistan.

Applicants will be required to indicate their preferred foreign universities and countries from the Top 200 QS/THE-ranked institutions in their online application.

However, HEC reserves the right to reallocate a university or country to a candidate according to the requirements of the scholarship programme.

Only shortlisted candidates who qualify the required HAT criteria will normally be called for interviews.

HEC will subsequently share the list of potential scholars with relevant partner agencies and universities for placement.

HEC Aptitude Test (HAT)

The Education Testing Council (ETC), Pakistan, under HEC, will conduct the HEC Aptitude Test for the scholarship programme.

Applicants who have previously appeared in an HAT conducted by ETC may use their score if it remains valid on the application closing date. According to the advertisement, HAT scores remain valid for two years, and the best valid score will be considered.

Candidates should regularly check HEC's official announcements for information about the test schedule.

Candidates with Fall 2026 Admission

An important concession has been announced for applicants who already hold confirmed unconditional admission for Fall 2026 in a relevant thematic area at a Top 200 QS/THE-ranked university.

Such candidates may be exempted from the scholarship test/interview, provided they fulfil all prescribed eligibility requirements.

Scholarship Financial Support

The scholarship's approved financial provisions include support for:

• Tuition fees
• Stipend/maintenance support
• Health insurance

However, if the tuition fee charged by the selected university exceeds the amount approved under the scholarship project, the candidate will be responsible for obtaining a fee waiver to cover the additional cost.

Applicants should therefore carefully review the financial provisions and university requirements before selecting an institution.

Host University Admission Requirements

Being eligible for the HEC scholarship does not automatically guarantee admission to a foreign university.

Selected candidates must fulfil the admission requirements of their chosen university. Depending on the institution and programme, these requirements may include tests such as:

• International GRE
• TOEFL
• IELTS
• Other university-specific admission requirements

HEC has advised candidates to prepare for such tests in advance of the admission process.

How to Apply for HEC Overseas Scholarships 2026

Eligible candidates are required to submit their applications online through the HEC e-Services Portal.

The application process includes:

1. Create or access your HEC e-Services account.
2. Complete the online scholarship application.
3. Select the relevant thematic area.
4. Choose preferred countries and Top 200 QS/THE-ranked universities.
5. Provide accurate academic and personal information.
6. Pay the Rs. 3,000 non-refundable application processing fee through LINK payment services.
7. Submit the application before the deadline.
8. Keep the application and payment records for future reference.

Applicants are not required to send a printed copy of the online application at this stage. HEC will contact shortlisted candidates later to submit a signed application and supporting documents.

Application Deadline

The last date to apply for the HEC Overseas Scholarships for MS/MPhil and PhD Studies 2026 is:

August 28, 2026 — 4:00 PM

Candidates are advised not to wait until the final hours to complete registration and fee payment, as applications submitted after the prescribed deadline may not be entertained.

Official HEC Scholarship Information

HEC Overseas Scholarships – Phase III

HEC e-Services Portal

Important Note

The scholarship advertisement states that HEC may postpone or cancel the test or modify the schedule when required. Applicants should therefore regularly monitor official HEC updates for any changes to the test, application procedure or scholarship schedule.